Fusible switch mechanism



May 12, 1931. a. E. WADSWORTH FUSIBLE SWITCH MECHANISM Filed June 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l g 9 wawi" ATTORNEYS,

y 1931- e. E. WADSWORTH 1,804,724

FUS IBLE SWITCH MECHANISM Filed June 20, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTORNEYS Patented May 12, 1931 Unirso STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE E. WADS WORTH, F ERLLNGER, KENTUCKY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESaNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO THE GEORGE B. WADSWORTH COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A COB- PORATION OF OHIO Application filed June 20,

My invention has to do with the provision of an integral and self-contained fusible switch of the safety type in which access to the fuse receptacle is prevented while the switch is in the on position, and relates primarily to structures of this type which are not dependent upon a box or other like construction for their operation, nor to switch controlling mechanisms which also control w access panels in a box which houses the other mechanisms. It is thus an object of my invention to provide a switch and a fuse assembly together in a single unitary structure which also embraces controlling elements for the switch, protective elements for the fuse receptacle, and means whereby the two are interrelated to the end desired. The structure of my invention, is as will hereinafter be pointed out, independent of the operation of any box element, and may be constructed, if desired, in such a way as to require no box at. all.

Another object of my invention is to provide in such a structure the usual factors of .25 safety which are inaccessibility to live partswhile the switch is in the closed position, and inability to close the switch while the said parts are exposed, together with theft prevention means whereby the switch port on may, if desired, be locked in an open position in such a way that it cannot be operated by an unauthorized person, nor can an unauthorized person get at the fuse receptacle or any current conducting parts.

An important object facilitated by the construction of my device is the provision of a rotary switch in a fused mechanism.

Still another object is the provision of a safety structure which is fool proof, not

an liable to get out of order and very inexpensive to construct as well as neat and attractive in appearance.

The primary objects of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading, the following specifications, wherein I have described a preferred embodiment, making reference to the drawings which accompany these specifications.

In the drawings: p

Figures 1 and 2 are vertical elevations of FUSIBLE SWITCH MECHANISM 1929. Serial No. 372,509.

my fused switch respectively in closed and open positions.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of my device in closed position.

Figure 4 is a vertical section along the line 3 -4 in Figure 2 of my device in open posiion.

Figure 5 is an end elevation of my device in partly open position.

Figure 6 is a vertical elevation of the switch portion of my device taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a vertical section of the fuse receptable cover and operating handle along the line 7- of Figure 1.

Broadly speaking, I provide inimy device,

all integrally mounted upon an appropriate base, a single pole double brealr'switch of the rotary variety, and a fuse receptacle connected in series and provided with appropriate terminals, means forpreventing access to the fuse receptacle, means for operating the switch, and means for effecting the desired operating inter-relation of the several parts in accordance with the objects of my invention. In describing it, I shall first explain the electrical pai'ts and the structure which supports them, afterward describing the control and safety means and the structures having to do therewith.

I provide a base 1 Which is conveniently in the form of a block of insulating material such as fiber, porcelain or the like, and which is provided with apin 2 acting as a pivot for a barrel of insulating material 3 which constitutes a part of the rotary switch. An examination of Figure 1 will show that I have located on either side of this barrel, contact members 4 and 5 of a configuration which will not require special description. The contact member 4 will be provided with a terminal 6 of the ordinary type. The drum or barrel3 is adaptedto rotate about the pivot 2 and it is equipped with a metallic member having portions 7 and 8 adapted to bridge the gap between the members 4 and 5 in one position of the drum so as to complete the circuit. The portions 7' and 8' are connected beneath the drum by an integral metallic strap 9 which preferably lies within a groove in rotate either to the on or off position, but

is limited in its rotation to a quarter of a circle. This construction may be varled some-- 7 What for a purpose hereinafter to be described, or if desired, the pin 10 and the arcuate. slot 11 may be omitted.

A rotary switch, in mechanism ofthis kind, has certain definite advantages,'among which may be mentioned the fact that it is a double break, although a single line switch, and the fact that it provides a greater effective throw for the same space and movement.- The terminal 5 is connected by a strap 12 conducting current to one terminal 13 of; a fusereceptacle, which in this instance isshown as the base terminal of a screw receptacle. Thereceptacle itself is preferably located somewhat above the base upon a block of insulating material 14 which in this instance is conveniently cylindrical in shape and may be integral with the base 1 or not as desired. The strap 12 overlies the base, runsup alongside of the projection 14 as shown at 15 and turns over againabove the projection 14 as shown at. 16. The screw. terminal 13 contacts with the portion 16. and, is fastened down in any way desired. The way of the preferred embodiment shown, comprises a post 17 into which the screw '13 is fastened, and which passes down through the. base projection 14; and the base land is held from'beneath by a second screw 18.

.The screw 13 holds a metallic washer 19 and an insulating washer, 20 which bears against a strap portion 21 located above the bottom of the threaded portion 22 of the screw receptacle. The entire fuse receptacle is held within a base member indicated in Figure 4 at 23 andhereinafter more fully tobe described. I The strap 21 is carried outsidethe base members, downward alongside thev projection 14, and is fitted with a terminal 24: as shown. The terminals 6 and2 t are the line terminals of the device; and it will be understood thatcurrent may be conducted from the terminal 6 through the switch mech-. anism, from the switch mechanism by means of the strap 12 to the fuse receptacle, through a fuse 25 therein and thence to the terminal 24. a Y

The base cover portion of the fuse receptacle, indicated at 23 has certain of its features shown most clearlyv in Figures l and 7. It is hollowed out interiorly as at 26 to give readier access to the fuse, and the hollowed out portion is accommodated in an enlarged cup shaped portion which may be provided with a reinforcing rib 26 and an enlargement 27 at one side, and overlying the drum 3 of the switch. A hole 28 in this enlargement serves as a bearing fora movable shaft to operate the switch as will. presently be described. The housing 23 is made of insulating material, and it has a lower portion 29 which underlies the threaded portion of the receptacle, a portion of the strap 21, the several washers, and the head of the screw 13, so that the assembly of the parts of the fuse receptacle serves to hold the-base portion 23 to the base portions 14 and 1. a It is advantageous, in following the plan of assembly described, to have the base portions 23 and 14: separate, although they may be made. integral if desired. It will be understood that there are suitable apertures in the base portions for the passage of the several straps and that the contact members and the terminals are secured to the base in the usual manner, by screws fastened into threaded openings in the respective parts, the base being counter sunk so that no metallic parts may come in contact with any surface upon which the base rests. 1

For the purpose of operating the switch I provide a shaft 29a passing through the hole 28. The upper end of the shaft is turned over as at 30 and may be bent into the form of a circular handle 31 which will be found convenient for manipulation. The lower end of the shaft is held by the portion 27 in align-i I ment with the hole 32 in the drum 3 and is provided with a projecting pin 33. A slot connecting with the hole 32 is shown at 34, adapted for the reception of the'pin 33. Thus when the shaft 29a is depressed with the pin '33 in the proper position, the pin may be caused to enter the slot 34, andithe shaft thus operatively connected with the drum, for the actuation of the switch.

A cover isnow provided for the fuse receptacle comprising a portion 35 adapted to overlie the opening 26, anda circular lip 36 adapted to enter the said opening so as very effectually to prevent access to the parts therein, even by a thin metallic ribbon, as

well as to prevent the rotationlof the cover with respect to the base member 23 when it s 1n closed position. The cover has a proecting portion 27 a corresponding in shape to the portion 27 of the base member 23, and also provided with a hole 28a for the passage of the shaft. The portion 27 a is preferably made thicker than the portion 35, so as to overlie it in part, in an extension 37 which may be grasped as a handle inoperating the fuse receptacle cover if desired. A collar 38' is fitted about the shaft close to the bent over portion 30, and; the length of the shaft is made such that when the coverof'the fuse receptacle has been raised high enough to bring the lip 36 out of the opening 26, the shaft 29a will be disconnected from the switch barrel or drum 3. The portion 27 is provided with a hole 39, and the portion 2.7a with a co-operating pin 40. These are positioned so that the pin may enter the hole in the position of closure of the receptacle cover, and the pin is of such a length that when the cover is in other than closing position it will hold the said cover, and particularly the portion 2T0: thereof far enough away from the portion 27 of the base member 23-, so that the shaft 29 will be entirely disconnected from the switch barrel or drum.

Beneath the portion 27 I fasten a member, conveniently made: of strap metal, designated as 4-1. It has a portion underlying 27 and fastened thereto bymeans of a counter sunk bolt 42, a portion descending alongside the shaft 29a, and a reversely bent portion which overlies the central part of the drum. or barrel This. portion is clearly shown in Figure 6 where it is designated by the numeral 43. It is perforated for the reception of the shaft 29a, and to: that perforation a slot 44 gives access, the said slot being of such size as to permit the passage of the pin By reverselybending the lower portion of the member 41, I provide an outer edge which is rolled and upon which the pin 33 will not bind It will be clear now that the member 41 has these functions: when the shaft 29 is connected to the drum 3, the member 41 will prevent the disconnection thereof excepting in one position, because it will keep the pin down into the slot 34. In order to disengage the shaft from the drum, the shaft must be pulled up, in such a position that the pin will ride through the slot 44, when it has thus been pulled up, and turned, the member 41 will hold the shaft out of connection with the drum in all positions excepting the one aforesaid. Furthermore, the member 41, after the assembly of the several parts, holds the drum or barrel 3 down on to the pivot pin 2 so that it cannot be removed therefrom. The positioning of the various members is made such that the shaft cannot be disengaged nor initially brought into engagement with the drum excepting the drum be in off positiom I provide a spring 45 bearing against the top of the member 41 and against a washer 46 held to the shaft by a cotter pin 47, whereby the shaft may be urged downwardly.

I will now describe the operation of my device.

Reference is made to Figure 4 wherein the receptacle cover is shown open. The pin 40 holds the portion 270 away from the portion 27. The portion 27a bears against, the collar 38 thus holding the shaft away from the drum 3.v The cover may be held fast and the shaft rotated by means of the handle 31, but with the cover inthe position shown the shaft cannot be engaged with the drum, even though the pin 33 be brought into alignment with the slot 44.v The cover may be turned around however and placedin closed position as described, whereupon the pin 40 enters the hole 39 and the portion 270 approaches, the portion 27. Even then however, the shaft will be held out of contact with the drum by the portion 43 acting as the stop forthe pin to be drawn downward into operative connection with the drum 3. By turning the handle the drumilmaythen be rotated through a quarter of a turn, thereby closing the switch. lVhen this is done the pin 33 will no longer e in alignment with the slot 44, and since it now underlies the portion 43, the shaft cannot be disengaged from the drum while the switch. is in closed position. So long as the. shaft cannot be thus disengaged, of course the cover of the fuse receptacle cannot be opened, since to open it, it is necessary to pull it outwardly.

Thus I have accomplished in this mechanism all of the desirable safety features. The fuse receptacle cannot be opened except the switch be in off position; once opened, it prevents the operative connection of the shaft and the switch, so that the switch cannot be closed.

It is to be noted that my operating handle 1s not at any time in electrical connection with a live part.

I have shown the drum 3 as limited in its movements by a pin 10 and an arcuate slot 11. I may omit these features so as to provide a means for locking" the switch in the open position- This may be done by disengaging the shaft from the drum and then otherwise rotating the drum to an off position 180 re moved from the position shown in Figure 4. When thisis done, and access is prevented tothe drum, as by means of a cover or box. the fuse receptacle may be opened or closed as desired, but the operating handle cannot be connected with the switch at all until the switch has been rotated back to the proper position.

It will also be possible to lock the switch openby the insertion of a thin sheet of ma terial preferably but not necessarily of insulating substance between the drum 3 and the member 41 when the switch handle is in open and elevated position, thus preventing the re-engagement of the shaft 29a and the switch drum.

It will be clear that I may form my fused switch with an integral cover or box as may be found desirable or I may enclose one or more of my fused switches within a box, preferably one of the proper height to allow the fuse receptacle cover and the operating handle to project up through a hole in thelid thereof. r

In Figures 1 and 5 I have indicated. at A and B respectively the top and bottom of a I claiin as newvand desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: Y a

1. In a switch, a base of insulating materialbearing a fuse receptacle, a rotary switch, a cover for the fuse receptacle, an operating shaft for the rotary switch, said operating shaft adapted to be brought into and out of engagement with said rotary switch and means to prevent the said shaft being disen gaged from the said switch in any but the off position thereof, means to prevent the engagement of the said shaft with the said switch when the said cover is open, and to prevent the opening of said cover when said shaft is in engagement with said switch.

' '2. In an electrical device, a base of insulat ing materiala fuse receptacle mounted there- J on,-a switch mounted thereon, a member for operating the said switch, a cover for the said fuse receptacle operatively connected with the said operating member, the said operat' ing member arranged for engagement and disengagement with the said switch, means for preventing the engagement thereof with said switch when saidcover is open,; means for preventing the opening of said cover when said operating means is engaged and for preventing the disengagement of said operating member from said switch in any but the off position thereeof.

3. In an electrical device, a base bearing a rotary switch and a fused receptacle, an operating shaft for engagement with said rotary switch, a cover for said fuse receptacle pivoted. on said operating member, means for preventingthe engagement ofsaid shaft with said switch when said cover is open, means for preventing the opening of said cover when said operating means 1s engaged and for preventing the disengagement of said operating member from'said switch in any but the off position thereof. i

41-. In an electrical device, a base of insulating material having a support thereon, said support hollowed out and containing a fuse receptacle, a rotary switch mechanism also on saidbase, means on said support toact as a bearing for an operating shaft, an operating shaft adapted for engagement and disengagement with said rotary switch, a cover for said fuse receptacle pivoted on said operating shaft, a lip on said cover adapted to enter the hollowed out portion of said support, whereby said cover may not be removed from said fuse receptacle excepting by an outward motion followed by a rotary motion, means on said shaft to prevent the outward motion of said cover excepting the shaft also be moved outwardly whereby it is disconnected from the said rotary switch.

I 5. In an electrical device, a base of insulating material having a support thereon,-said support-hollowed out and containinga fuse receptacle, a rotary switch mechanism also on said base, means on said support to act as abearing for an operating shaft, an operating shaft adapted for engagement and disengagement with said rotary switch, a cover for said fuse receptacle pivoted on said operating shaft, a lip on said cover adapted to enter the hollowed out portion of said support, whereby said cover may not be removed from said fuse receptacle excepting by an outward motion followed by a rotary mo-- tion, means on said shaft to prevent the outward motion of said cover excepting the shaft also be moved outwardly whereby it is disconnected from the said rotary switch, means to prevent the disconnecting of said 7 operating shaft from said rotary switch excepting in the off position thereof and for preventing the engagement of said opera ing shaft with said switch excepting in the off position and means on said cover to hold the said operating shaft out of engagement with said switch excepting said cover be closed. a In an electrical device, a base of insulating material having a support thereon; said support hollowed out and containing ,a fuse receptacle, a rotary switch mechanism also on said base, means on said support to act as a bearing for an operating shaft, an operating shaft adapted for engagement and disengagement with said rotary switch, a cover for said fuse receptacle pivoted on said operating shaft, a lip on said cover adapted to enter the hollowed out portionof said support, whereby said cover may not beremoved from said fuse receptacle excepting by an outward motion followed by a rotary motion. means on said shaft. to prevent the outward motion of said cover excepting the shaft also be moved outwardly whereby it is disconnected from the said rotary switch, means on said cover to prevent the inward motion thereof excepting in closing position, and means acting upon said operating shaft to prevent its engagement with said rotarv swltch excepting in the off position thereof.

7 In an electrical device a base of insulacing material comprising a supporthollowed out to receive a fuse receptacle, a fuse receptacle in said support, said support comprisinga portion adapted to act as a bearing for an operating shaft, a rotary switch mechanism on said base adapted to be engaged bv sald shaft by inward movement thereof,

means surrounding said shaft adapted to hold is disengaged, in all but the off position thereof, a cover pivoted on said shaft, said cover having a lip adapted to enter the hollowed out portion of said support whereby said cover may only be removed from said fuse receptacle by an outward followed by a rotary motion, a shoulder on said shaft above said cover whereby said shaft must be moved to permit the outward motion of said cover, and a pin on said cover to prevent its inward motion in all but the closed position thereof.

8. In an electrical device a base of insulating material comprising a support hollowed out to receive a fuse receptacle, a fuse receptacle in said support, said support comprising a portion adapted to act as a bearing for an operating shaft, a rotary switch mechanism on said base adapted to be engaged by said shaft by inward movement thereof,

means surrounding said shaft adapted to hold said shaft in engagement with said rotary switch in all but the off position, in which position said shaft may be moved to disen- S gage it and for holding said shaft out of engagement with said rotary switch when it is disengaged, in all but the off position thereof, a cover pivoted on said shaft, said cover having a lip adapted to enter the hollowed out portion of said support whereby said cover may only be removed from said fuse receptacle by an outward followed by a rotary motion, a shoulder on said shaft above said cover whereby said shaft must be moved to permit the outward motion of said cover, and a pin on said cover to prevent its inward motion in all but the closed position thereof the said switch and the said fuse receptacle being connected in series and provided with terminal screws for line connection.

GEORGE E. WADSWORTH. 

